Bio

Costa Rica qualified for the 2018 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship by virtue of defeating Honduras, 7-0, in a Central American Qualifying Classification Stage game, after going 2W-0D-0L in group-stage play.

The Ticas did not participate in the last CONACACF Under-20 Women’s Championship in 2015, so it will be looking to make up for lost time in Trinidad & Tobago.

Fabiola Villalobos was the star of qualifying, scoring a competition-best six goals, including a pair against Honduras and the other four coming in a 10-0 win over Belize.

Always with an eye toward the future, look for head coach Amelia Valverde to fortify her roster with some key members of the side that qualified for the 2018 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.

Priscila Chinchilla scored one goal in U-20 qualifying, but netted three times with the U17s, while Maria Paula Salas was the only player to score in each of her team’s three U-17 outings, all from the penalty spot. She also scored the game-winning goal in Costa Rica’s 3-2 win over Jamaica in the 2016 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.

Another player to watch is midfielder Gloriana Villalobos, who – despite currently being only 18-years-old – has earned 12 caps for the senior team and was on the roster for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She has also competed in the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup (3 games/0 goals) and the 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup (3/0). Villalobos plays for Florida State University in the United States.

Under 20s - WomenJan 29, 2018Asked to put into words the raw emotion felt immediately after the final whistle that signified Haiti’s historic and dramatic 1-0 win over Canada in the third place match of the 2018 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship, Sherly Jeudy couldn’t help but let out a giggle.

Under 20s - WomenJan 28, 2018Mexico defender Miriam Garcia was named winner of the 2018 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship Golden Ball presented by Scotiabank as the tournament’s most outstanding player. The announcement was made Sunday after the Tricolor prevailed over the United States in the final, 4-2 on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw in the final.

Under 20s - WomenJan 28, 2018Mexico captured its first-ever CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship title, prevailing over the United States, 4-2 on penalty kicks, after their final ended in a 1-1 draw on Sunday at Ato Boldon Stadium.